Job Help Day @ your library

CHICAGO – A group of librarians in Franklin Country, Ohio, are reaching out to their communities to address the tough economy.

In September 2009, representatives of the Worthington Public Libraries worked in collaboration with five Franklin County area libraries (Columbus Metropolitan Library, Grandview Heights Public Library, Upper Arlington Public Library, Westerville Public Library and Worthington Libraries) to create “Job Help Day @ your library.”

In addition to “Job Help Day @ your library,” each of the five participating libraries have purchased resume writing software and other job search tools, which are available daily in each of the libraries’ job help centers.

On “Job Help Day @ your library,” held on Sept. 24, 2009, all five systems offered a series of job-related workshops. The free programs included one-on-one meetings with resume writing consultants and classes on interview techniques.

“We created programs that worked best for the communities we serve,” said Kristin Shelley, deputy director of the Old Worthington Library.

Over the course of the day libraries helped more than 900 hundred people, with more than 270 visiting the Worthington system. Governmental and non-profit agencies donating their services to the libraries included Central Ohio Workforce Investment Corporation (COWIC), Jewish Family Services and Ohio State University’s Career Exploration Office.

Each library promoted its programs in such local newspapers as the Columbus Dispatch and on area television stations.

Feedback from the public was extremely positive. Many library users asked when the libraries will be offering the program again. The five original libraries, along with two new ones, are currently planning on hosting another “Job Help Day” in February.

The Campaign for America’s Libraries (
www.ala.org/@yourlibrary), ALA’s public awareness campaign that promotes the value of libraries and librarians. Thousands of libraries of all types – across the country and around the globe - use the Campaign’s @ your library® brand. The Campaign is made possible by
ALA’s Library Champions, corporations and foundations that advocate the importance of the library in American society.

Libraries looking to promote their services during the economic downturn are encouraged to check out American Library Association’s (ALA) Tough Economy toolkit. The
toolkit is available through ALA’s Office for Library Advocacy.